Strike to go ahead as talks between BA and Unite end without agreement

Hopes faded this afternoon that a last-ditch deal between British Airways boss Willie Walsh and union leaders would prevent seven days of devasating strikes.

Two hours of talks between Mr Walsh and Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of the Unite union, at the TUC ended without agreement.

As he left the building Mr Woodley said there would be more talks but did not appear to be hopefull of a settlement.

Union reps belonging to BASSA - the Unite branch which represents cabin crew who are at the centre of the dispute - insisted the strike, the first three day stoppage begins on Saturday, "is still very much going ahead."

They said BA had tabled a worse offer than it had before. BA refused to comment.

Travellers still face major disruption in the unlikely event of the strike being cancelled. Insiders say that staff and aircraft will be out of place if a deal is reached, making it too late to restore a full timetable.

Union bosses this morning issued a statement over what they said was a "dossier of disgrace" which exposed "BA's bullying". But the statement was withdrawn in hours as a "show of goodwill". A further four days of walkouts by cabin crew are due to start on Saturday week — 27 March — in the dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions.

Union bosses have also warned of further strikes if the dispute is not settled. BA said an increasing number of cabin crew have said they will defy the strike call and turn up for work; this is understood to be in response to a warning that anyone refusing to work would lose their travel facilities for life.

Cabin crew and their families can fly anywhere in the world at 10 per cent of the usual fare.

Britain's largest carrier had already reported that it intends to fly 60 per cent of usual services during strike days, using 1,000 company volunteers working with cabin crew who cross the picket lines.

Mr Walsh said the extra staff defying the Unite union strike order meant that an additional 4,000 passengers a day could be carried. "I am delighted by the numbers of cabin crew who have been getting in touch with us to express their disillusion with Unite's position.

"We now have the potential to fly more than 4,000 additional customers per day and serve more destinations."

Unite said BA was "bluffing" and that the strike would be fully supported.

A mass meeting to "rally the troops" is planned for tomorrow.

Strikes are also threatening other airlines in unconnected disputes. Air France cabin crew have called for a four-day strike of its own from Sunday 28 March in a dispute over changes to cabin crew working conditions.

Unite has also been "deluged" with support from air and aviation unions in the US, Australia and Germany although it is unclear what supportive action, if any, they will take.